Ramadan and Infants Health Outcomes

TL;DR

This study investigates how prenatal exposure to Ramadan fasting affects infant health, finding that full-month exposure correlates with lower birth weight, highlighting potential health risks associated with fasting during pregnancy.

Contribution

It provides robust empirical evidence linking Ramadan fasting during pregnancy to reduced birth weight using comprehensive birth data and a difference-in-difference-in-difference approach.

Findings

Full-month Ramadan fasting reduces birth weight by 96 grams.

Results are consistent across various specifications.

Fasting effects are not driven by maternal fertility choices.

Abstract

Previous studies show that prenatal shocks to embryos could have adverse impacts on health endowment at birth. Using the universe of birth data and a difference-in-difference-in-difference strategy, I find that exposure to Ramadan during prenatal development has negative birth outcomes. Exposure to a full month of fasting is associated with 96 grams lower birth-weight. These results are robust across specifications and do not appear to be driven by mothers selective fertility.